As summer disappears and autumn slowly moves in, it is time to light a fire, snuggle up under a cosy blanket and enjoy a Masons G&T!
So what will your Autumn Tipple be?
Here are a selection of wonderful gins to try.
Pear & Pink Peppercorn
The sublime Masons Pear and Pink Peppercorn Gin is perfect for an Autumnal Gin and Tonic. Leading with a subtle sweet conference pear and building into a lightly spiced, peppery finish. The warming finish is an ideal juxtaposition to the cold nights.
For a luxurious G&T, Masons recommend serving over ice with premium tonic water, garnished with sliced Kiwi or Pear to taste.
Tea Edition
Reassuringly British and distilled with Yorkshire Tea (of course) Masons Tea Edition combines Yorkshire Tea with smooth juniper flavours, sharp citrus and a gentle warming spice for a refreshingly long, luxurious dry finish.
The perfect Gin to take you into Autumn, perfect neat, or as a G&T with plenty of ice, a premium tonic water and a slice of lemon to garnish.
Orange & Lime Leaf
If you like citrus and adore gin, you’ll fall in love with the zesty Mediterranean Orange & Lime Leaf Gin. Incredibly refreshing in summer, but also an ideal Autumnal tipple.
On the palate, the fresh zesty orange with the distinctive flavour notes of kaffir lime leaves, gives an innovative and contemporary twist.
To enjoy this refreshing masterpiece, simply serve it with plenty of ice and premium Indian tonic water. Don't forget to add a twist of fresh lime zest as the garnish for that extra burst of citrus goodness!
Now that the evenings are drawing in, it is the perfect time to settle down with one of these lovely gin or vodka cocktails created by the Masons in-house mixologists. My favourites are definitely the Espresso Martini Vodka Cocktail and Mocha Espresso Martini Vodka Cocktail.
Espresso Martini Vodka Cocktail
Infamous mixologist Dick Bradsell created this drink in the late 1980s when Kate Moss sidled up to the bar and asked for something to “wake me up and f**k me up”. Here is Masons version, with even more coffee flavour coming from their Espresso Vodka.
Method
Dry shake all ingredients with 1 ice cube.
Then wet shake vigorously with ice
Fine strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass
Garnish with 3 coffee beans
Cosmopolitan Vodka Cocktail
A modern classic. To flame the orange, take a large shaving of orange skin and spray the oil from it through a lighter flame over the drink, then drop it in. A great crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
50ml Citrus Vodka
15ml Cointreau
35ml Cranberry Juice
20ml Lime Juice
Method
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass
Garnish with flamed orange peel
Vodka Martini Vodka Cocktail
Masons have made countless Gin Martinis, so they are especially pleased to be able to introduce you to the smoothest of Vodka Martinis. Shaken or stirred, olive or lemon zest, it’s up to you.
Ingredients
75ml Classic Vodka
10ml Dry vermouth
Method
Pour a splash of vermouth into a glass pitcher full of fresh ice
Stir then discard the vermouth by straining
Add 75ml vodka and stir 20 times then strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a skewered olive or lemon twist
Strawberry Mai-Tea Gin Cocktail
The Mai-Tai is one of the most ubiquitous exotic cocktails around. Whether you’re donning a Hawaiian shirt while drinking or not, it’s impossible not to think of sunshine when you’re drinking this. Inspiration is taken from a classic Mai-Tai and then the Masons twist on it, including a flaming garnish which will impress guests after dark.
Ingredients
50ml Masons Tea Edition Gin
20ml Lime Juice
15ml Monin Strawberry Syrup
15ml Sacred Spiced Vermouth
30ml Orange Juice
20ml Pineapple Juice
Method
Fill a rocks glass with ice and leave to chill for 2 minutes
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice until mixed
Fine strain into the glass and garnish with dehydrated pineapple or orange.
For extra flair, add some neat alcohol to the garnish and carefully set alight.
Old Sport Gin Cocktail
The traditional martini gets an overhaul with Masons Distiller’s Strength gin as a base. So smooth you’ll be channelling your inner James Bond.
Ingredients
40ml Masons Distiller’s Strength
40ml Cocchi Torino
5ml Triple Sec
2 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
Method
Fill a martini glass with ice and a splash of water.
Leave to chill.
Add all ingredients to a mixing jug with plenty of ice and stir.
Discard the ice from the glass and strain the mixture in.
Garnish with a twist of orange zest.
Lillet Raspberry Martini Gin Cocktail
An Anglo-French cocktail curation designed by the Masons in-house Master mixologists. With Masons delicious British Raspberry Gin as a base and the french apéritif, Lillet providing a dried bodied and long aftertaste. A real show stopper for any cocktail party.
Ingredients
65ml Masons British Raspberry Gin
35ml Lemon juice
15ml Lillet Rouge (or other sweet vermouth)
20ml Hibiscus syrup
Foamer (quarter pipette) or Egg white
3 mint leaves
4 muddled raspberries
Method
Add Raspberries, mint leaves and hibiscus syrup into a shaker and muddle.
Add all other ingredients and dry shake.
Add ice into shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
Fine strain into a coupe glass.
Autumn Punch Vodka Cocktail
A fruity and refreshing autumnal drink that’s perfect for a gathering of friends. Bright, spritzy and moreish.
Ingredients
50ml Classic Vodka
10ml Monin Passionfruit syrup
30ml Pear juice
15ml Lemon Juice
Pulp of Passionfruit
Top up of Sparkling wine
Method
Cut a passionfruit in half and scrape into a shaker
Shake all ingredients with ice (apart from sparkling wine) and fine strain into a high ball glass
Top with sparkling wine and garnish with physalis
Mocha Espresso Martini Vodka Cocktail
A variation on the classic Espresso Martini with an intentionally reduced coffee flavour. Chocolate and coffee make a strong mocha taste, with caramel sweetening the mix.
Ingredients
50ml Chocolate Vodka
30ml Khalúa
10ml Monin Caramel Syrup
5 dashes Chocolate Bitters
Dash of Foamer
Method
Vigorously shake all ingredients over ice.
Strain into a pre-chilled coupe glass
Garnish with chocolate nibs, or cocoa beans